So, you've survived the sleepless nights, teething, toilet training, the first day of school etc? Is your sanity still intact? Good, because those years were a breeze compared to the trials and tribulations of adolescence, and you'll need all your wits about you for what's to come. You and your child will now face raging hormones, dating, acne, menstruation, mood swings, peer pressure, sex, and probably the most challenging..........drugs.
It is unfortunate that drugs are so prominent in today's society. They seem to be absolutely everywhere, appearing from so many different sources in so many different forms – some legal, some not – that it is impossible to know when or where your child will come in contact with them. Drugs act as a constant temptation for your susceptible teen, and as this is the age of experimentation, their curiosity is no longer an innocent one, it now demands to be assuaged. But don't despair. For most teens, knowledge is enough to satisfy them, and for those that need to take a more “hands on” approach, and need to try it to believe what they have been told, you can only hope that that is as far as they go. Experimentation is normal for a teenager. They will experiment, or try, a lot of things at least once before these years are through, but it is how we prepare them for it that will make all the difference.
Talking to a teenager about drugs can be difficult, but it is necessary. The more information your teen has on the subject, the less curious they are. But having said that, it is important that you too are knowledgeable, how else are you going to talk to your teen with honesty and openness if you don't have a clue what you are talking about?
Throughout this article you will find links to other articles and websites that will not only educate you on the many different drugs that are out there, but also on how to talk to your teen about them.
Legal and Illicit Drugs
It is important that you understand the distinction between legal and illicit drugs because it will help you to recognise where your child may come in contact with them.
Legal refers to drugs such as nicotine, caffeine, over-the-counter(OTC), or prescription drugs which have addictive qualities. Simple and unsuspecting things such as cough medicine or headache tablets, even paint, are a few of the things that teens have been known to use to get a “buzz”. These things are readily available anywhere, although most places that supply paint, especially the aerosol variety, these days require proof of age – 18+.
Illicit refers to those drugs that are not recognised by the Government, and are probably more harmful to your child than any of the legal. Although no drugs are good for anyone, no-one can be completely sure what has been used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs. Talcum powder is a common additive which has suffocating qualities if too much is inhaled into the lungs. Some examples of illicit drugs are cocaine, heroin, marijuana and speed. Speed is actually found in some legal drugs as well, but these require a prescription, and are not usually lethal if taken correctly.
The following 2 links will provide more information on the different drugs out there both legal and illicit.
The first has information on the more illicit drugs, and the second has a more comprehensive range of both legal and illicit.
http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/Content/Information-about-drugs
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/drugs.cfm
Why Do Teens Turn To Drugs
It is a common question asked by many parents, and one that is not always easily answered. Teens take drugs, or try them, for many different reasons, some, only known to them, but below you will find some common reasons.
• Stress Relief – at this stage in their life, they are very susceptible to pressure and stress, whether it stems from home, school, or just hormones. Teens have a harder time coping than we do as adults as they haven't learnt other ways of dealing with it. They feel that drugs, in any form, can help them either forget for a while, or make everything less stressful.
• To Fit In - many teenagers are still “finding” themselves, and in order to be a part of the “in” crowd, or to just fit in, they feel they need to go to these extremes.
• Peer Pressure – one or more of their friends may be doing it and convince your teen that unless they do it too they're not cool, or can't hang out with them.
• Rebellion – some teens will do it purely because you told them not to, which is why it is very important that you handle the matter of drugs with your teens carefully.
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=199#using
How Do I Know If My Teen Is On Drugs
More often than not, a teen will hide from you, or at least won't do it while you're in the vicinity, usually while at someone else's place or at a party where they will have time for the effects to wear off. But there are other ways to detect if your child is a user: below is a few of the more common ones.
• Unexpected changes in behavioural patterns
• Sudden drop in grades at school
• Violent mood swings
• Change in speech – slurred, fast talking
• Uncaring attitude
• Unexplained tiredness
http://www.mydr.com.au/kids-teens-health/drugs-and-young-people
So, How Do I Deal With It?
With knowledge and understanding. You need to keep an open mind when dealing with this topic, and keep a calm attitude. You need for your teen to be able to trust that they can come to you and that you will not yell and scream or be judgmental. The following link will provide some tips for you in handling this particular subject.
http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/Content/tips-for-parents
Each link provided within this article will give your a variety of information on many of the questions you may have regarding drugs and how to handle it with your teenager. It is not an easy topic to discuss, but with enough information, you will be fine, after all, didn't Sir Francis Bacon coin the phrase, “Knowledge Is Power”? Just remember that it works both ways: the more knowledge you have, the more your child will trust you and believe what you say, the more knowledge a child has, the less curious they are.
Copyright © 2009 Kids in Australia All Rights Reserved
